Yes, I agree, having fun is rule #1. However, the speed limit rules that Larry speaks of have several pitfalls that we should be aware of:
"4-Cuts are limited to three. This is to prevent a seasoned pilot from running his score up on a rookie". This also allows Pilot A, who has 3 cuts and 4:00 of airtime, to beat Pilot B, who has 4 cuts (or 5, etc.) and only 3:55 of air time. That is not fair.
"6-A bonus of 200 points is awarded to both pilots for flying a clean match. That means no collisions or line tangles that force one or both pilots to crash". Using the Northeast "cumulative points" system, consider the individual pilot scores after the following hypothetical matches:
Pilot A (a fairly seasoned pilot) and Pilot B (a novice with limited aerobatic ability) both finish their match with 4:00 of air time. Pilot A also has 3 cuts, Pilot B has zero. Pilot A finishes this round with 740 points (240 points of air time, 300 points for cuts, and a 200 point "bonus"). Pilot B, who flew mostly straight and level throughout the match, finishes with 440 points (240 points air time, and a 200 point "bonus").
Pilot C (a very seasoned pilot) and Pilot D (a very seasoned pilot) fly a well flown, hard fought match and each finishes with 4:00 of air time. Pilot C has 1 cut, Pilot D has zero. However, near the end they become involved in a line tangle and both crash. Pilot C finishes this round with 340 points (240 points air time and 100 points for the cut) and Pilot D finishes with 240 points for his air time.
At the end of this round, Pilots A and C are the match winners. However, using the NE "cumulative points" system here are the standings:
Pilot A: 740 points
Pilot B: 440 points
Pilot C: 340 points
Pilot D: 240 points
Here we can see that at this point the novice, who lost, is in second place! And although Pilot C won his match, he is already 400 points behind Pilot A and has a lot of catching up to do. He is also behind the novice. This does not seem right.
"8-The contest winner is the pilot with the highest number of points when all four rounds are added together (he or she does not need to win every match)". In other words, it is possible for a flyer to win every match and finish in second place behind a flyer who lost a match, but had more "cumulative points". I have been told that this indeed happened at Huntersville a number of years ago. The runner up had even beaten the "winner".
"The toughest thing is getting a pilot that comes back to present day from the past to change their tactics.
They must learn that the life of his model is the same as the life of those world war one and two pilots.
If you crash into the enemy no one wins. Pilots must understand that they need cut points, air time points and the 200 point bonus to do well". Larry, I'm honestly not trying to be harshly critical or sarcastic, but if I understand correctly, it seems that if a contestant crashes on his own (no mid-air or line tangle) he still gets a 200 point bonus? If we are truly concerned with rules emphasizing the life of the model, limit each contestant to one aircraft per contest and then we will really see some conservative flying with little risk taking.
"3-Scoring is the same as event 329 with the exception that there are no points for cutting the string (no kill as some know it)". I saved this until last, in case I misunderstood it. Does this mean that if the string is cut with the streamer still attached one receives no points for that cut? Imagine how many experienced pilots flying closely in front of their opponent would intentionally pull up to have their own string and streamer cut off, thereby depriving their opponents of any future cuts, and at no cost. A well known combat flyer (he will remain unnamed) intentionally did this to me in the final match at Huntersville 7 or 8 years ago. He joked, "Now I've got you, Chad". That contest, my first in 30 years, was being flown as elimination, and I was still credited with the one cut. Fortunately, I managed to evade my opponent for the final 3 minutes or so and deprive him of the cuts he was counting on, and won.
Again, having fun is #1. But the "cumulative points" system has a number of potential flaws which I have highlighted. Earlier in this thread I suggested a Swiss System pairing and tie-break format based on match wins only. All flyers would fly four rounds, or as many rounds as the contest lasts. The Swiss System is used in other sports (I have participated in them) and it is very fair, and simple.
Best,
Chad Hill